One person was killed and two others were injured when a helicopter crashed into the waters of Biscayne Bay in Miami on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
The US Coast Guard said it responded to the crash at approximately 11.30am. The aircraft, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, had three people on board when it went down in the bay, east of Miami executive airport.
"1 person is reported deceased & 2 people were transported by EMS to a higher level of care," the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The Miami-Dade sheriff's office also confirmed the crash. "@MiamiDadeFire, @CityofMiamiFire, and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue responded to the scene as part of a coordinated emergency response," the office said. "Three individuals were involved in the incident, and emergency personnel worked together to provide assistance." It added that the investigation is ongoing.
According to Miami-Dade fire rescue, two adult patients suffering traumatic injuries were taken by ground rescue units from Miami fire rescue and Key Biscayne fire rescue to a designated landing zone. From there, a Miami-Dade fire rescue air crew flew them to the main trauma center.
Aerial footage circulated online showed the helicopter submerged upside down in the water, its yellow emergency floats still attached to the aircraft.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the crash. The Guardian has contacted the Federal Aviation Administration for additional comment.
The crash came just days after another deadly aviation accident in Florida. On Sunday, a business jet carrying nine people crashed in Greenacres, in Palm Beach county, killing everyone on board.
Shortly before that crash, the crew reported accumulating ice, turbulence and precipitation before declaring a Mayday. As the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, the pilot warned air traffic control that the jet was in an overspeed condition before it nose-dived into the ground.
